How a race car driver became America's most decorated World War I flying ace.
In short: Before he was a war hero, Eddie Rickenbacker was a daredevil racer known for mechanical genius and high-speed grit. When the United States entered World War I, he convinced the military that race car drivers made the perfect fighter pilots, eventually becoming the nation's top ace with 26 aerial victories.
Born in 1890 to Swiss immigrants in Columbus, Ohio, Rickenbacker spent his youth working odd jobs and tinkering with engines. By his late teens, he was a rising star in the automotive world, serving as a chief engineer and test driver for the Columbus Buggy Company and Firestone. His racing career, which earned him the nickname 'Fast Eddie,' saw him compete in the first Indianapolis 500 and become a national figure. This background in high-stakes, split-second decision-making provided the foundation for his later military success.
When the United States declared war in 1917, Rickenbacker initially struggled to find a role in the air service. After enlisting in the infantry and serving as a driver for officers like Major Townsend F. Dodd, he leveraged his mechanical expertise and persistence to secure flight training. Assigned to the 94th Aero Squadron—the 'Hat-in-the-Ring Gang'—he quickly distinguished himself. He combined his natural aggression with a newfound sense of calculated caution, famously stating that he learned everything from his mentor, French ace Raoul Lufbery.
Rickenbacker’s leadership transformed the 94th into the most successful American squadron of the war. As commander, he emphasized teamwork and meticulous mission planning, often leading raids against heavily guarded observation balloons. By the Armistice in November 1918, he had logged 300 combat hours and achieved 26 confirmed victories, a record that stood until World War II. Awarded the Medal of Honor in 1931, Rickenbacker remained a public icon, later transitioning into a long and influential career as the head of Eastern Air Lines.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Eddie Rickenbacker
- Also: Edward Vernon Rickenbacker | WWI Ace, Medal of Honor, Air Combat | Britannica
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